Long Distance Walking in the South of England – Jurassic Coast

The South West Coast Path in Great Britain is one of my favourite long-distance hiking trails in the world. You hike between southern English charm and the rough waves of the Atlantic, over steep cliffs and along beautiful sandy beaches. Although many stretches are quite wild and remote, a café with a cream tea is never too far away.

I got to know the route well during my three-month hike through Great Britain. A year later, I came back to explore the Jurassic Coast in six stages.

The Jurassic Coast is a 150-kilometre (93-mile) stretch of coastline along the Channel in southern England. In 2001, it became the first landscape in England to be given UNESCO World Heritage status. The Jurassic Coast offers an insight into the earth’s history – the oldest rocks are up to 250 million years old! Apart from the impressive cliffs, the Jurassic Coast is especially famous for its rock formations such as the famous Durdle Door. Of course, you can hunt for fossils here too.

At 1,014 kilometres (630 miles) in length, the South West Coast Path, which runs along the entire Jurassic Coast, is the longest of the British long-distance hiking trails. In total, it stretches from Minehead on the north coast of Somerset to South Haven Point in Dorset, staying close to the coastline most of the way. The trail is well marked throughout and is usually well maintained, but there are some rocky, muddy or slippery passages. The biggest challenge on the South West Coast Path is probably the frequent, and sometimes steep, ascent and descents. You also shouldn’t underestimate the weather as sudden changes can occur at any time. Don’t forget to pack your warm and rainproof clothing, even on a beautiful summer day.

Theoretically, the South West Coast Path can be hiked all year round, but some accommodation and refreshment stops may be closed in the low season. On the other hand, you can then often enjoy the path all to yourself.

You can find more tips for hiking on the South West Coast Path on my blog.